Updated October 2026 • 5 min read
The Algarve's airport is Faro Airport (FAO), about 7 km by road from Faro and within an hour of most resorts. From North America there are a few nonstop routes, including a seasonal summer flight from Newark and flights from Toronto, but most travelers connect through Lisbon or another European hub. From Lisbon you can fly to Faro, take the train in about 3 hours or drive in about 3 hours. Once you land, a pre-booked transfer or a rental car is the easiest way to reach your hotel.
This guide covers flights, airport transfers to each town, the train and the drive from Lisbon, and when a car is worth it.
What Is the Closest Airport to the Algarve?
Faro Airport (FAO) is the Algarve's international airport and the closest one to every town in the region, including Lagos in the far west. It sits about 3 km west of Faro, roughly 7 km by road from the city center. Flights arrive from across Europe, with the most routes in summer.
Two other airports are sometimes used:
- Lisbon Airport (LIS): the main long-haul gateway to Portugal, about 3 hours from the central Algarve by train or car. A good choice if you want to combine Lisbon and the Algarve.
- Seville Airport (SVQ), Spain: an option for the eastern Algarve, about 2 to 2.5 hours by car.
Flying to the Algarve from the US and Canada
Nonstop flights from North America to Faro are limited and seasonal, so check current schedules when you book:
- From the US: United has operated a seasonal summer route between Newark and Faro.
- From Canada: Air Transat flies between Toronto and Faro.
From other cities, the usual route is a flight to Lisbon or another European hub, then a short connecting flight to Faro. You can also land in Lisbon and continue by train or car, which lets you add a few days in the capital.
ALGARVE PACKAGES WITH FLIGHTS
Flights, hotel and airport transfers in one booking, so the connection to Faro and the ride to your hotel are arranged before you leave home.
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Approximate transfer times by car from Faro Airport:
| Destination | Distance | Transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Faro city center | 7 km | About 10 to 12 min |
| Vilamoura | 24 km | About 30 min |
| Tavira | 40 km | About 35 min |
| Albufeira | 46 km | About 40 min |
| Carvoeiro | 65 km | About 60 min |
| Alvor (near Portimão) | 76 km | About 60 min |
| Lagos | 86 km | 60 to 85 min |
| Sagres | 120 km | About 100 min |
Private or Shared Transfer
A pre-booked transfer is the simplest option after a long flight, especially for Albufeira, Vilamoura, Carvoeiro and Lagos. The driver meets you in arrivals and takes you to your hotel.
Rental Car
Car rental desks are at the airport. A car makes sense if you plan to explore beyond your resort, since the beaches, caves and villages are spread along the coast.
Bus
Bus 16 runs from the airport to central Faro in about 20 minutes. For other towns, the Aerobus links the airport with Albufeira, Lagoa, Portimão and Lagos, with more departures in summer than in winter. Regional buses and trains continue from Faro to the rest of the Algarve.
Taxi
Taxis wait outside arrivals. The ride to central Faro takes about 10 to 12 minutes.
ALGARVE PACKAGE WITH CAR
Flights, hotel and a rental car included, so you can pick up the car at Faro Airport and drive straight to the coast.
See the fly and drive package →From Lisbon to the Algarve
| Option | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Train to Faro | About 3 to 3.5 hours | Five direct trains a day from Lisbon Oriente; Lagos needs a change at Tunes |
| Car | About 3 hours | A2 motorway (tolls) to the Algarve, then the toll-free A22 along the coast |
| Bus | Around 3.5 to 4 hours | Direct coaches to the main towns |
| Flight | About 45 minutes in the air | Useful for connections, less so for travel time once you add the airport |
By train, Alfa Pendular and Intercidades services run from Lisbon Oriente to Albufeira-Ferreiras, Loulé and Faro without a change. For Lagos, you change to a regional train at Tunes. By car, the A2 takes you south from Lisbon, and the A22 motorway runs along the Algarve from the Spanish border to the west. The A22 has been toll-free since January 1, 2025, while the A2 still has tolls.
Getting to the Algarve from Spain
The A22 continues into Spain over the Guadiana River bridge near Vila Real de Santo António, so Seville is an easy drive. A small ferry also crosses the river between Ayamonte, in Spain, and Vila Real de Santo António.
Do You Need a Car in the Algarve?
Not always. If you stay in one resort and book tours with pick-up, transfers and taxis are enough. Trains and buses link the main coastal towns from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António.
A car is worth it if you want to visit Sagres, the west coast beaches, the Monchique hills or smaller beaches between towns. Parking in old towns is limited in summer.
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What is the main airport in the Algarve?
Faro Airport (FAO) is the Algarve's only international airport. It is about 7 km by road from Faro and within an hour of most resort towns.
What is the closest airport to Lagos, Portugal?
Faro Airport, about 86 km away. The transfer takes 60 to 85 minutes by car. Lisbon Airport is the alternative, about 3 hours by car.
Can you fly directly to the Algarve from the US?
Nonstop options are limited and seasonal. United has flown between Newark and Faro in summer, and Air Transat flies from Toronto. Most travelers connect through Lisbon or another European city.
Is it better to fly into Lisbon or Faro?
Fly into Faro if you are going straight to the beach. Fly into Lisbon if you want more flight options or to spend a few days in the city before taking the train or driving south.
How do you get from Faro Airport to Albufeira?
The drive takes about 40 minutes. A pre-booked transfer or rental car is the easiest option, and the Aerobus also stops in Albufeira.
How far is the Algarve from Lisbon?
About 3 hours by car or by train to Faro, and around 3.5 to 4 hours by train to Lagos, including the change at Tunes.
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